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Saturday, October 20, 2012

Steampunk Pumpkins! (Steampunkins?)

There are plenty of geeky pumpkin roundups online right now, but what about steampunk pumpkins? I went looking for steamy jack-o-lantern inspiration this week; here's the best of what I found:

These are both by Cmdr "Whiskey Nick" Triton. I love how he took the classic Jack-O-Lantern design and jazzed it up with just the right amount of rivets and metallic accents. Plus those hinged eyes on the right are too cool.

Or, for something a little (ok, a LOT) crazier:

Yowza! I definitely wouldn't want to meet this in a dark alley. o.0

My favorite part is the pipe legs; they're a great way to elevate your pumpkin and give it an industrial edge. (The plumbing fixture goggles are also a great touch - I think I'd use just one with a chain for a fun monocle.) Head over to GeekDad for a free .pdf with instructions on how to make this yourself.

Better Homes and Gardens has a roundup of no-carve "Junk-ins" with some neat elements. They're not exactly steampunk, of course, but there are still plenty of ideas to borrow. My favorite is the pumpkin coach:

Look at the tiny mice!! They're made of little gourds, nails, and upholstery tacks. Such a simple idea with such a huge pay off.

I also like this springy clock design:

I just realized the clock hands are made from old skeleton keys. Nice!

Of course, now I want to install a working clock in a pumpkin. It'd be super easy with a craft-store kit - and they're battery powered, so you don't have to worry about cords.

Or, if you want a ridiculously complex carving challenge, how about this clock design?

Steampunk author Cherie Priest bought this plastic pumpkin at a Wal-Mart years ago, so it's no longer available - but it's a great inspiration piece:

In fact, I wonder if this is where Triton got the idea for the hinged jaws on his two pumpkins. (You could use craft foam to form the overlapping jaw line, and thumb tacks or roofing nails for the rivets.)

Instructibles user Yami Guru modified those ubiquitous pumpkin candy buckets into steampunk versions. I like how he used tea strainers for the eyes:

And are those old telephone cords on the right? Clever! Hit the link up there for his full tutorial.

These two are actually custom toys by Steamwork Studios, but I'm loving the mismatched eyes and chest grates:

It's be neat to make a similar grate on the side of a pumpkin - you could use craft foam coated with metallic Rub n' Buff and held on with thumb tacks. (Plus now I'm thinking someone should cosplay a steampunk Headless Horseman for Halloween. Right?)

Space Boy Robot (who has some awesome robots on his site, btw) made this fabulous Jack-O-Bot:

Oh! And also this one!

I bet you could use candlestick pieces for the legs, or maybe old door handles or large spools. There are so many options when you're going to paint everything the same color!

Well, that's all I've got, my friends. Now, are you inspired? Good! Then go forth and steam up some pumpkins!! (And then send me pictures, 'cuz I want to see!)

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UPDATE: Reader Amanda E. just shared her own pumpkin coach creation over on the Epbot FB page. Check it out:

I love the more elegant hardware - and she made the mice! Great job, Amanda!

I, too, thought of The Empty Child. My boys like to wander thru the house, intoning "Mooooommy... Are you my mummy?" Cree-py. You did, however, send me scurrying to my kids' candy buckets, and I am in the process of steampunkin' them. (Even tho I'm the one going steampunk for Halloween, they will have awesome candy-catchers!) I love that Rub'n'Buff stuff!